Edo Ichi @ Nexus Bangsar South

Once you go past the Kerinchi area and enter Nexus Bangsar with its swanky highrises, it’s like stepping into another dimension. This place is touted as the “next Publika” and I could see why as eateries and drinking holes are plentiful around here. Within the massive steel structure and polished floors of Nexus, Edo Ichi beckons prominently from the ground level. Edo Ichi is run by the same people behind Ichi Zen, Hana, Azuma and Sushi Zento – certainly no greenhorns in the Japanese F&B scene here.

Diners here will definitely need more time to browse through the menu because it is so extensive – the thick hardcover menu looks like a mini encyclopaedia! The pictorial offerings all look tempting enough to make you want to order everything. Edo Ichi serves the entire gamut of favourites, most of them Japanese-style but with a good selection of Korean-influenced dishes as well.

SOFTSHELL CRABS & SALMON SKIN SALAD

My meal started off with a salad of greens topped with deep-fried softshell crabs and salmon skin (Soft Kani Karaage To Shake Kawa Sarada at RM27) and drizzled with sesame dressing. A nice combo and it paved the way for 2 more decent starters.

On the other hand, I totally loved the Foie Gras To Nagaimo Steak (RM52) – thick cuts of pan-grilled goose liver with Japanese yam. The creamy velvety goose liver was a perfect match with the delicious powdery yam.

FOIE GRAS ON JAPANESE YAM

If you are dining with a few friends, the Chef’s Sashimi & Sushi Combo Platter (RM85) is a good choice. There were 3 types of assorted sashimi, 5 types of sushi, a whole big dragon roll and 3 varieties of appetizers. Actually, if I’m dining alone, this platter would make me very happy indeed as all my favourite stuff are there!

The Stir-fried Squid Rings with cod roe & butter (Ika No Mentai Butter Itame @RM26) were scrumptious and my favourite. I would order this again and again as the tender bouncy squids were just so addictive with the very umami mentai sauce!

SQUID RINGS WITH COD ROE

Assorted seafood and vegetables in hot pot (Chanko Konabe @ RM38) gives diners a choice of 3 favorite soup pastes – kimchi, miso and soyu paste. I loved the spicy and tangy kimchi paste and this soup was very similar to the popular kimchi jiggae served in Korean restaurants. The piping hot flavourful soup with fresh seafood was very comforting and satisfying.

SEAFOOD & VEGETABLES HOTPOT

I tried the Australian Ribeye pan-fried with teriyaki sauce (Gyuniku Teriyaki RM27) which was a bit over-fried. It was a thin cut so I guess it got cooked pretty quickly and would have been easy to overcook it.

AUSTRALIAN RIBEYE TERIYAKI

The Pan-grilled Smoked Duck (Kamo Aburi Yaki RM22) was really nice in its plating – kudos to the chef for the unique touch of curled noodles enhancing the presentation. Pan-grilling the duck breast slices have boosted the aroma but it also rendered a certain degree of toughness to the meat.

PAN-GRILLED SMOKED DUCK

For desserts, check out some green tea an red bean favourites like Macha Parfait (RM19.50) and Edo Ichi Tempura Mochi (RM17.50) which are crispy tempura Japanese rice cake with choices of single scoop ice cream.

Do check out Chillin’ @ Nexus Bangsar South Campaign at their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BangsarSouth) where RM100 Nexus Gift Vouchers will be given to daily winners from 27th April 2015 until 19th June 2015!